Officials warn dead whale likely to attract sharks

The Department of Environment and Conservation says a baby whale, which is presumed to have died in waters between Rottnest Island and Fremantle, is likely to attract sharks to the area.

The calf received life threatening injuries when it was struck by a boat last night and is believed to have died overnight.

The calf's mother was also struck but her injuries were less severe.

Senior Marine Operations Officer, John Edwards, says, while sharks will be attracted to the blood, the whales were at least eight miles away from the nearest beaches.

"It's nature in action," Mr Edwards said.

"Certainly, with a wound as severe as the one that the calf received, there was a bit of blood in the water, and we have got sharks passing through the metropolitan area, so it's reasonable to assume that they quite possibly would pick it up."